Breaking Bad: How will it end?

With the hit show soon to wrap on OSN, we guess the finale

By
Time Out staff
17 September 2013

With the last season now airing on OSN, Time Out predicts the TV show’s outcome.

Popcorn and tissues at the ready, the end of Breaking Bad is nigh. As the rumour mill flies into overdrive, we contemplate the possible scenarios: could Walter White’s criminal alter-ego (played by Bryan Cranston) head up an untouchable cartel? Will his cop brother-in-law put him in the slammer? Or could he go down in a midst of gun blaze?

The Shakespearean play ending The five seasons of Breaking Bad have more than just a mathematical connection with the five acts of a Shakespearean play. In particular, Walter’s over-reaching ambition smacks of Macbeth’s ascent to the throne of Scotland. Like the Thane of Glamis, Walt’s had to bump off a few major players to become top dog. The scene is set for Birnam Wood to come to Albuquerque, and for Heisenberg to be overthrown. Likelihood: 3/5

The Sopranos ending It’s conceivable that, just like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad might only give us meagre food for thought at its conclusion, rather than the full buffet of carnage we’re all hoping for. The Sopranos closed on an ambiguous ‘what happens next?’ note that only hinted at impending violence. Show creator Vince Gilligan, however, rarely misses an opportunity to show a man with half his face blown off. Likelihood: 2/5

The Godfather ending If Walter White has a cinematic equal, it must be Michael Corleone. The central character in Francis Ford Coppola’s film trilogy gives everything for his family, only to finally realise that he’s alienated and endangered the ones he loves. Bryan Cranston has hinted that Walt’s fate could be similar: ‘What if he lived, and [his family] didn’t? Wouldn’t that be a worse hell to be in?’ Likelihood: 3/5

The never saw it coming ending Breaking Bad has redefined the ambit of the screen drama, and pulled off one of the most ambitious character progressions in history. The most likely outcome is, therefore, one that shakes things up yet again. Saul Goodman – the show’s morally vacant lawyer – could usurp Heisenberg’s throne, for example, thus setting the scene for a rumoured spin-off show. Or what about Walt’s cancer? Might the disease finally get the better of him at the point where he seems to be the most invincible? Wherever the bolt strikes from, you’ve got to bet on Vince Gilligan pulling something out of the blue.Likelihood: 4/5Watch Breaking Bad on OSN First HD, September 18 and 24, 11pm.